The Empathy Edge

We prep ourselves for so many challenging conversations, whether asking for a raise, delivering a tough performance review, asking for more budget, or even debating a political issue as if we're going to war. We brace for the confrontation. That puts us in a really unhelpful place to have true connection and conversation - and that just intensifies the misunderstanding and animosity with no helpful outcome. 

But there's a way out of this cycle. And woo boy! I clicked instantly with today's guest and I know you will, too. Today, Justin shares a very personal story about his trip back to Ghana to confront his absent father and how he changed the conversation following his own 5 pillars to bridge the divide. We also discuss how to practice conversational receptiveness, and how to avoid the dotted line dilemma and the illusion of asymmetric insights which both hinder meaningful engagements with those we don't see eye-to-eye with. Justin also unpacks actionable ways to have better conversations and cultivate curiosity through the Power of 3 Questioning module.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Plant the seeds with your kids of how to value humanity from a young age. Take them to places and events that will help them see more of the world and humanity.
• Be transparent when you are working on your leadership and changing conversations. Bring your team in, make it fun and light, and have one meaningful conversation per week.
• Just because it feels uncomfortable to learn about others and practice The Power of 3 Questioning. It doesn’t mean it isn’t working and strengthening your listening muscles.

"People are talking about things that are important to them. The question is, are we really listening?" —  Justin Jones-Fosu

Episode References: 

• Justin's book: I Respectfully Disagree: How to Have Difficult Conversations in A Divided World
• The Empathy Edge podcast: Michael Bach: What Exclusion is Costing Your Company
• Book: Dialogue: The Art of Thinking Together by William Isaacs

About Justin Jones-Fosu, CEO, Work.Meaningful and Author, I Respectfully Disagree

Justin is a full-time dad-e who also happens to be an international speaker, a social entrepreneur, a critically acclaimed author, and a mountain climber (he recently conquered one of the famed 7 Summits). His passion for elevation extends beyond trekking, it’s mirrored in his work as the CEO of Work. Meaningful, a firm he founded in 2017 focused on workplace engagement and inclusion. He consults with, speaks to, and trains 10,000 to 20,000 people per year. He is a former radio host and former workplace contributor to NPR’s The Takeaway Justin's most recent book, I Respectfully Disagree, challenges the reader to focus on building bridges with people rather than barriers from them. He also wrote The Inclusive Mindset and Your Why Matters Now.

Connect with Justin Jones-Fosu:  

Work.Meaningful: workmeaningful.com 

X: x.com/iworkmeaningful 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/iworkmeaningful 

Instagram: instagram.com/iworkmeaningful 

Connect with Maria: 

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/

Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

One of the hardest jobs in business belongs to anyone with a C in their title. Today you’ll hear from Tina Kuhn and Neal Frick, co-authors and successful executives of global companies who have gone on this journey and had tremendous success.

We talk about the ROI of empathy from their own experience and what they have learned about embracing empathy as a strategic advantage. We discuss how fear and bias show up for executives and impact their decision-making. They share the rewards of being an empathetic leader, the best way to bring a leader on board to an empathy mindset, how to practice empathy when your large team is remote, and why simply being a "nice boss" without accountability can be super toxic.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Reactive leaders harm their organizations. Empathetic leaders advance organizations and the lives of those in the organizations.
• There’s a difference between being a nice boss and being an empathetic leader. Being “the nice boss” is actually one of the most toxic things in an organization, and that is not empathetic.
• Build in time for team building in remote environments. If you choose the right activities, you can create those connections.

"The way that I have found the most effective has been leading by example because pushing someone into a vulnerable space is the quickest way to be met with resistance." —  Neal Frick

References:

• The Empathy Edge podcast: Teri Schmidt: Empathy-Infused Team Building for Lasting Impact

About Tina & Neal:

Tina Kuhn is an accomplished CEO spanning cybersecurity, commercial, and US government. 

She has extensive experience in organizational transformations, growth strategies and implementation, M&A due diligence and integration, financial improvements, process and risk management, operations management, business development, and proposal development.

Ms. Kuhn has served in a variety of executive leadership roles, including the President of Proximas Group, focused on integrating 6 companies and developing a growth strategy to take advantage of each company’s strengths. 

Neal Frick is the CEO of Avandra Consulting and most recently served as CEO of CyberCore Technologies, which was sold to HP. He's an author with more than twenty years of experience in organizational growth and leadership and has led successful initiatives around transformational change, strategic planning, and revenue, working with companies such as Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Lockheed Martin. His experiences have fueled his commitment to cultivating inclusive work cultures, where diversity and empathy are not just buzzwords but integral components of business ethos.

Connect with Tina & Neal:

The Lanzar Group: thelanzargroup.com

Tina's LinkedIn: Tina Kuhn

Neal's LinkedIn: Neal Frick

Medium Profile: medium.com/@TinaKuhn

Book: The E Suite: Empathetic Leadership for the Next Generation of Executives

tinakuhncommunication.com - The Manager's Communication ToolKit - Dealing with Difficult Personalities

Connect with Maria:

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/

Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

What's love got to do with it, as Tina Turner famously asked? Is there even a role for it in…the workplace? Turns out, yes, but let's be clear on what we mean by that!  If you want to better resolve conflict, create inclusive cultures, and harmonize with upset customers to turn them into raving fans, this episode is for you!

Today, Chloé Valdary and I have a delicious discussion about the three principles of the Theory of Enchantment and how they apply to your workplace. We talk about the first step you can take to express gratitude for both your strengths and weaknesses and how this opens you up to better interactions and more understanding. We discuss what love at work looks like, why it's not the same as romantic love, and how it creates a healthier, higher performing, and inclusive workplace. Chloé shares what prejudice actually means and how we can combat it to create better customer experiences and inclusive workplace cultures.  Finally, we debunk the myth of the know-it-all leader or expert and why constant curiosity opens you up to more learning and better results.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• We are not conditioned to share our struggles and weaknesses in the workplace. Breaking that paradigm and bringing our whole selves to work will allow all of us to grow and love.
• Ethically speaking, the word compassion means “with suffering.” You will experience suffering in life, but we want to enter the world in a way that doesn’t harm us as we move through it.
• We cannot live life with no regrets. But we can have gratitude for the experiences we have had and the lessons we’ve learned.
• We change over time. Do the Who Am I practice every three days or so, so you can begin to recognize your patterns and your habits of mind.

"If we can remind people that they matter in every interaction that we engage in, whether it's in the business context or not, that makes an impression. That is the kind of transcendent experience that speaks to what I mean by the word ‘enchantment’." —  Chloé Valdary

Episode References:

• The DOJO community: enchanteddojo.com
• The Tuning Fork community: enchantedtune.com
• The Empathy Edge: Kristine Scott: How to Resolve Conflict with Angry Customers or Colleagues

About Chloé Valdary, Founder, Theory of Enchantment

Chloé Valdary is the founder of the Theory of Enchantment, a New York-based DEI organization that fights against racism and bigotry by teaching love. Theory of Enchantment has trained businesses and orgs across many industries, including tech companies, hospitals, schools, and more. If you’re interested in bringing Theory of Enchantment to your business, contact the org at [email protected]. If you are an individual seeking daily practice, check out enchanteddojo.com.

Connect with Chloé:

Theory of Enchantment: theoryofenchantment.com

X: x.com/cvaldary

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chloe-valdary-92426565

Facebook: facebook.com/theoryofenchantment

Instagram: instagram.com/cvaldary

Connect with Maria:

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/

Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge.

Tune in to our subseries every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge! Or check us out at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.

In this episode, we dive deep into the often oversimplified process of CEO evaluations. We explore why boards need to look beyond traditional metrics and uncover common blindspots in CEO assessments. We'll discuss the limitations of relying solely on KPIs and how to integrate both quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate not just what a CEO achieves but how they lead. We'll examine how robust CEO evaluations impact critical board responsibilities like compensation and succession planning. The conversation will also touch on incorporating empathy and emotional intelligence into assessments. Finally, we'll reveal how well-designed evaluations can drive alignment between the board and CEO, fostering a culture of trust and continuous improvement. Join us as we uncover how to truly assess leadership effectiveness and drive organizational success through comprehensive CEO evaluations.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Having a relationship and building trust with some board members can create a safe space for the CEO, which can often be lonely. 
• Soft skills are the essential skills. It doesn’t matter what your organization does, these are vital skills in understanding the inputs and outputs to create success within any organization. 
• Data only matters if you can translate and interpret it into something useful and actionable.
• While hitting the “whats” is important, the “hows” of getting to those “whats” are equally as important. 

"When we talk about sustainable organizations, and the ability for organizations to grow, just hitting the numbers isn't going to guarantee success. It's important, but it isn't the whole story." —  Sandy Stelling, VP of Strategy, Analytics, and Transformation, Alaska Airlines

About Sandy Stelling, VP of Strategy, Analytics, and Transformation, Alaska Airlines

Sandy most recently served as the Vice President of Strategy, Analytics, and Transformation at Alaska Airlines. A Pacific Northwest aviation leader for over 30 years, she drives change using her experience in engineering, technology, team dynamics, and process performance. She has been recognized for her collaborative, always curious, direct leadership style. Sandy believes deeply in building capability and creating capacity with individuals and teams. Her track record of building trust and coaching teams, leading through challenges and crises, and delivering financial results bring valuable perspectives to the boardroom. Sandy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University. She currently holds leadership roles on several non-profit boards.

Connect with Sandy Stelling:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sandy-stelling-1984501

Connect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffect

SparkEffect: sparkeffect.com

Courage to Advance recording and resources:

CourageToAdvancePodcast.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffect

LinkedIn for Kim Bohr: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr

Connect with Maria:

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/

Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

Your organization may be missing out on the talent, innovation, and productivity of your workforce because of your own actions! I'm talking about accommodating disability. When we fail to invest in mindset and policy shifts, we fail to optimize the people within our organizations.

After experiencing complete memory loss due to a brain injury, my guest, Julie Harris, defied expectations as she found success in education and the corporate world. Today, we bond over our brain injury stories and discuss the definition of disability, how stigma impairs human performance, and how you may be hindering innovation and productivity. We also discuss why accommodation is not special treatment and why many fail to realize we all expect accommodations daily. Julie shares practical advice for what leaders can do to unleash the potential of disabled workers and achieve their business goals.

To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Not everybody’s disability looks the same or requires the same things, even if they are in the same category of disability.
• Disable and unable are not the same thing. The term disability is an accurate and correct description because it's something externally acting upon your body to make it not able.
• When the brain is under stress, we are only concerned with survival, which impairs your employee’s ability to do the work, impacting the bottom line.

"We accommodate people all the time at work and in everyday life, yet when it comes to disability, it had to be a legal right granted because those accommodations were so frequently denied. Just because one person needs a different thing doesn't mean it's preferential treatment. We're giving them exactly what they need to do their job." —  Julie Harris

References:

• The Empathy Edge podcasts:
• Michael Bach: What Exclusion is Costing Your Company
• Minette Norman: Psychological Safety
• Disclo: disclo.com

About Julie Harris, CEO/Founder, Access My Ability. Author of Boldly Belong:

After experiencing complete memory loss due to a brain injury, Julie quickly defied doctors’ expectations as she found success in secondary education and the corporate world. Drawing from personal study and formal education in neuroscience, process improvement, and disability inclusion, she consults with individuals and organizations around the globe. Despite having less than 16 years’ worth of memory and knowledge, Julie is now CEO and Founder of Access My Ability and author of Boldly Belong: The Power of Being You in a Disabling Society. Her expertise has been sought after by numerous Fortune 500 companies, where she has delivered compelling speeches and invaluable consultation on disability inclusion, workplace rights, and reasonable accommodation process improvement. Julie’s goal is to demonstrate that success can be achieved through unconventional paths that defy rules and expectations.

Connect with Julie:

Access My Ability: accessmyability.org

LinkedIn: Julie Harris

Book: Boldly Belong: The Power of Being You in a Disabling Society

Connect with Maria:

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/

Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

BONUS EPISODE! Join me for a conversation with President and COO of SparkEffect, Kim Bohr as we kick off our partnership to provide you with actionable content for the next year on their podcast subseries, Courage to Advance. We talk about Kim's journey and work in helping leaders embrace change and marry data, technology, and human-centric practices to achieve success. You will love her insights on how to build resilience in today's rapidly changing landscape, and how integrating innovative technology, data-driven insights, and the human touch is the winning recipe for success in our times.

We kick off our partnership where SparkEffect will be offering you monthly insights, actionable takeaways, and inspiring stories of leadership transformation and the role empathy plays in success. 

Tune in every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge!

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• AI is not going away - the more we lean in and understand, the more we can leverage it for ourselves, our clients, and our organizations.
• Leveraging AI in your creative endeavors is great to bounce ideas off of, especially for those who work solo.
• All change involves bringing people along with you. The human need for information, reassurance, connection, and upskilling never disappears. Only the challenge in front of us changes.

"We believe that AI and data-driven insights are about augmenting and elevating that people-centered approach. And that's why we find the data, along with the very skill-based empathetic approach, is where the superpower is unleashed for leaders and organizations." —  Kim Bohr

About Kim Bohr, President & COO, SparkEffect

Kim is a published author, speaker, and entrepreneur at heart. As the President and COO of SparkEffect, she brings over 25 years of experience as a cross-functional leader, executive and board advisor, and leadership and organization development professional. 

Kim has spent her career avidly studying and participating in companies with complex people and organizational dynamics. Making an impact on businesses is important to Kim. She stays inspired by the gratification that comes from unraveling challenging problems for individuals and companies. Her strong, strategic instincts, extensive experience, and the ability to create followership have shaped Kim into the leader she is today.

Connect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffect

SparkEffect: sparkeffect.com

Courage to Advance recording and resources: 

sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcast

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffect

LinkedIn for Kim Bohr: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr 

Connect with Maria: 

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/

Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

Halloween is just around the corner, and the ghouls, goblins, and…gladiators will be out in full force, along with spooky music, haunted houses, chills, and thrills. While humans have a weird desire to scare ourselves for our amusement, fear and horror in the workplace is far less desirable. And nothing can strike more fear into our hearts than scary bosses. 

But are those leaders scary...or scared? 

Today, I discuss how fear is detrimental for your team and how elevated perceived stress levels cause poor cognition. I also talk about why embracing empathy and building strong connections with your team while still maintaining high accountability and performance expectations will allow your team to rise to the challenge. Listen in for some scary statistics, but also the light around the dark corner that waits for those of us who are willing to take the next steps. 

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Studies show that perceived stress can cause lower cognitive scores and a faster rate of cognitive decline.
• Be vulnerable in your journey to be a more empathetic leader - while still expecting high performance and holding people accountable - people will rise to the challenge.
• Examine your own emotional triggers and backstory. Be willing to interrogate yourself with a curious mind. Scaring your people won’t help, so stop trying to do so and understand why you were trying to in the first place.

"Most scary or ineffective leaders have no self-awareness about how poorly they come across and how much psychological torture they influence. And that's because their negative behavior is almost always a result of their own fears." —  Maria Ross

Episode References: 

• CNN: Stress May Lead to Lower Cognitive Function, Study Finds
• More on Arno Michaelis
• Buy the book and download a free chapter sneak peek: http://www.TheEmpathyDilemma.com

Connect with Maria: 

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/

Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

Enjoy this unique discussion with three brave women, two live under the shadow of fear for themself and their child, and one is a cisgender ally: Kate Brookes, Jayna Sheats, & Jeannie Gainsburg. We talk about their own stories that led them to this work, how the increase in anti-trans legislation impacts them, what it's like to parent a trans teen, and their most poignant moments along the way. We also share simple yet impactful tips on how to be an ally.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Accepting and loving your child no matter how they present is support and protection for your child.
• Fiction is an amazing tool for empathy. It allows you to explore with your imagination experiences outside of your own.
• As allies, we need to step up, use the right language, and let people know that they are safe.
• Everyone is watching the world for signals to understand they are safe.

"Dignity is at stake. LGBTQ rights are at stake. Right now, while my daughter has access to these things, a vote could take some of these necessities. They're not privileges, they're necessities" —  Kate Brookes

References:

• Hanna's Ascent by Jayna Sheats
• Transister: Raising Twins in a Gender-Bending World by Kate Brookes
• The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGPTQ+ Advocate by Jeannie Gainsburg
• 2016 Study on Mental Health of Transgender Children Who are Supported in their Identities
• GFP: Gender and Family Project
• Sissy: A Coming of Gender Story by Jacob Tobia
• Cori Lovejoy: A Trans Woman’s Journey Transforming Self and Organizational Culture
• Jeannie Gainsburg: How to Be a Savvy LGBTQ+ Ally

Kate Brookes: Producer, Filmmaker, Writer. Kate Brookes is an award-winning TV reporter turned producer, filmmaker, and writer. An activist since her teens, Kate has devoted countless hours to the causes she supports, including mental health, housing justice, and anti-gun legislation. But it wasn’t until realizing she’d completely botched the birth announcement for her twins that she became active in LGBTQ causes. The author of Transister: Raising Twins in a Gender-Bending World, Kate lives with her husband and rock star children, one of whom happens to be trans, in New York City.

Jeannie Gainsburg, Founder, Savvy Ally Action:  Jeannie is an educational trainer and consultant in LGBTQ+ inclusion and effective allyship, and author of, The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate. She is the founder of Savvy Ally Action, which offers accessible and encouraging workshops and videos on how to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ communities. 

Jayna Sheats, Author: Jayna grew up on an isolated Colorado ranch in the 1950s, where the word “transgender” had never once been heard. Returning to CO after studying language and psychology in Germany, she majored in physical science and settled in Silicon Valley with a PhD in chemistry. Jayna is the author of, Hanna's Ascent. She spends her time writing novels about triumph over trauma and social justice, and a non-fiction book on transgender women in athletics.

Connect with Our Guests:

Kate Brookes: transistermom.com

Jeannie Gainsburg: savvyallyaction.com

Jayna Sheats: jaynasheats.com

X: @transistermom

LinkedIn: Jeannie Gainsburg

Facebook: Jayna Sheats, Author

Connect with Maria:

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/

Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

Happiness seems as elusive and subjective at work as empathy. But there is a link between the two, and we're going to get into that today! My guest is Dr. Tracy Brower, a PhD sociologist studying work-life fulfillment and happiness. 

Today we discuss what happiness at work means, how happiness is linked to empathy, and the research around what happy workplaces experience in terms of engagement, retention, and performance. Tracy shatters the myths of happiness as a constant state. While we can't "make people happy" we can create the conditions for happiness. She shares the five measurable conditions for happiness and we discuss the Paradox of Happiness, the benefits of post-traumatic growth, the current loneliness epidemic and the role workplace cultures can play, and the two important components of what it means to thrive. Tracy offers ways you can create connections as a leader - and you'll love the conversation near the end about how leaders don't have to take on all the responsibility for this in their culture by themselves!

To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Tracy’s Big Five conditions for happiness are: Having a sense of purpose, Connection with other people, Opportunity for learning, growth and challenge, Performing really well, and Gratitude.
• Sometimes you will have to do work you don’t want to do. Your work won’t always be fulfilling. But that doesn’t mean your career or workplace cannot be nurturing, engaging, and fulfilling despite that work.
• Thriving always includes an element of striving. There are positive challenges, and positive growth that come out of difficult situations.

"It's actually counterproductive to measure happiness by itself, and the more we think about happiness as its own end, the less likely we are to accomplish it, statistically." —  Dr. Tracy Brower

Episode References: 

• The Empathy Edge episodes
• Logan Mallory: How a Culture of Gratitude Boosts Engagement and Mental Health
• Jamie Greenwood: Why Empathy for Others Starts with Compassion for Yourself
• Shasta Nelson: Why Successful Leaders Encourage Work Friendships

From Our Partner:

Download the 2024 Ninth Annual State of Workplace Empathy study from Businessolver: www.businessolver.com/edge 

Discover more valuable content from Businessolver on The Benefits Pulse vodcast: www.businessolver.com/benefits-pulse 

About Dr. Tracy Brower, VP Workplace Insights, Steelcase

Dr. Tracy Brower is a PhD sociologist studying work-life fulfillment and happiness. She is the author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Bring Work to Life. She is the vice president of workplace insights with Steelcase and a senior contributor to Forbes and Fast Company. Her work has been translated into 22 languages, and you can find her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, or at tracybrower.com

Connect with Tracy Brower:

Steelcase: www.Steelcase.com 

Website: https://tracybrower.com/ 

X: https://twitter.com/TracyBrower108 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybrowerphd/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlb108/ 

Book: The Secrets To Happiness at Work 

Connect with Maria: 

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/

Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

Welcome to another special episode brought to you by the great folks at Businessolver! Their annual State of Workplace Empathy Report has been my go-to for years in finding out exactly how everyone from CEOs to employees thinks and feels about empathy in the workplace. The 2024 report offers so much valuable information to help all of us navigate the new world of work.

In today's episode, Part 2, A Gameplan for Putting Empathy into Action, Rae Shanahan and I focus on why empathy is hard to achieve when everyone thinks it's a good idea. We give examples of empathetic leadership - and behaviors that are the opposite of empathy. We dive into a study theme of accountability and the false belief that empathy and accountability are opposites. Rae shares what empathetic culture does for your organization, and gives examples of what employees deem to be empathetic company benefits. Finally, we revisit the three pillars Businesssolver discovered in their research and how to take action on each one.

To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Everything starts with awareness. We have a chance to impact the culture by focusing on the leaders.
• Understanding doesn’t mean endorsement. Empathy doesn't mean you agree or condone behavior or the decision. It means you are there for someone and factor in their point of view.
• It takes time to build up trust, especially in an environment where it hasn't been there before.

"We are not a one-size-fits-all organization. Employees have different needs and different definitions of benefits depending on where they are in their life cycle." —  Rae Shanahan

Episode References:

• Empathy Authenticity Checklist
• The Empathy Dilemma
• Brené Brown Short on Empathy
• QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John G. Miller
• Jelly Roll - I Am Not Okay

From Our Partner:

Download the 2024 Ninth Annual State of Workplace Empathy study from Businessolver: www.businessolver.com/edge

Discover more valuable content from Businessolver on The Benefits Pulse vodcast: www.businessolver.com/benefits-pulse

About Rae Shanahan, Chief Strategy Officer, Businessolver

Rae Shanahan is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Known for her strong business development skills in coaching, sales, team building, and healthcare information technology and management, Rae brings a unique blend of strategic insight and empathetic leadership to the table. Her empathetic approach has been instrumental in nurturing the growth of Businessolver from 12 employees to over 1,700. Rae understands the importance of empathy in fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment, ensuring culture is always first. This perspective has guided her efforts as the current Chief Strategy Officer at Businessolver and her previous role as CEO of Innovation Works, where she supported the incubation of new business strategies and opportunities. Her initiatives, including the launch of Businessolver's Artificial Intelligence Engine, MyChoice Accounts and the Benefits Innovation Group, are all centered on delivering delight to clients and their employees, ensuring that everyone feels valued and heard.

Connect with Businessolver & Rae Shanahan:

Website: businessolver.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/raeshanahan

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/company/businessolver

X:  @Businessolver

Instagram:  @Businessolver

Facebook:  facebook.com/bsolver

Connect with Maria:

Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com

Learn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

X: @redslice

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/

Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/